Australian Roses

Rose breeding in Australia was undertaken by a cast of dedicated amateurs, resulting in roses ideal for Australian conditions as well as some being famous overseas. Tragically many have been lost. Peter Cox undertook an exhaustive search for these roses and has recorded 373 in all, of which 237 are described and photographed here.

Lists 373 roses of which 237 have been described and photographed in colour. Many fine rose varieties have been produced -- 'Lorraine Lee', 'Sunny South', 'Blackboy', 'Milkmaid' -- to name but a few, and many of these were specifically bred for Australian conditions -- for hardiness and to flower throughout the year. In recent times, plant hunters have pursued old varieties but this has been at the expense of modern roses introduced in the twentieth century. A few dedicated rose collectors have rescued many varieties bred in Australia but, with the exception of Alister Clarke, there is nothing written about any of the other breeders of which 69 have been unearthed so far.